Kaufman County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Kaufman County?

Public records in Kaufman County encompass a wide range of documents created, received, or maintained by county government agencies in the course of official business. According to the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 552, public records are defined as "information that is written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business."

Kaufman County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Kaufman County District Clerk and County Clerk offices
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments
Vital Records: Birth certificates (limited to those born in Kaufman County), death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and assumed name certificates (DBA)
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax rolls
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records from Kaufman County Commissioners Court and other boards and commissions
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and audits
Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest logs and incident reports (subject to exemptions)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and development permits

The Kaufman County Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian for many county records, while specialized records are maintained by their respective departments.

Kaufman County Clerk
100 W. Mulberry Street
Kaufman, TX 75142
(972) 932-4331
Kaufman County Clerk

Is Kaufman County an Open Records County?

Kaufman County fully adheres to the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), which establishes the presumption that all government information is available to the public. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, "public information is available to the public at a minimum during the normal business hours of the governmental body."

The Texas Public Information Act specifically states that "it is the policy of this state that each person is entitled, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, at all times to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees."

Kaufman County has implemented procedures to ensure compliance with state transparency laws. The county maintains an Open Records Request process that allows members of the public to submit requests for information to any county department. Additionally, Kaufman County complies with the Texas Open Meetings Act, which requires public notice of meetings and public access to most government deliberations.

County departments are required to respond promptly to public information requests. Under Texas Government Code § 552.221, an officer for public information must "promptly produce public information for inspection, duplication, or both" and shall do so within a reasonable time, not to exceed 10 business days.

How to Find Public Records in Kaufman County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Kaufman County may utilize several methods to access information:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official websites:
- The Kaufman County Clerk's Records Search provides access to land records, marriage licenses, and other documents
- The Kaufman County District Clerk offers online case information through their portal
- Property tax records can be searched through the Kaufman County Appraisal District
Submit a Public Information Request:
- Complete the county's Public Information Request Form
- Submit requests via email, mail, or in person to the appropriate department
- Clearly identify the records sought with reasonable specificity
- Include contact information for follow-up questions
Visit County Offices in Person:
- Records may be inspected during regular business hours at the appropriate county office
- Self-service computer terminals are available at some departments for public use
- Staff can assist with locating specific records
Contact the Records Custodian:
- Each department has a designated records custodian
- The custodian can provide guidance on record availability and access procedures
- For general inquiries, contact the County Clerk's office

For specialized records, contact the specific department:

Kaufman County District Clerk
100 W. Mulberry Street
Kaufman, TX 75142
(972) 932-4331
Kaufman County District Clerk

Kaufman County Appraisal District
3950 S. Houston Street
Kaufman, TX 75142
(972) 932-6081
Kaufman County Appraisal District

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Kaufman County?

Kaufman County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Texas Administrative Code, Title 1, Part 3, Chapter 70, which establishes guidelines for charges for public information. Current standard fees include:

Paper Copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal size
Oversized Paper Copies: $0.50 per page for documents larger than 8.5 x 14 inches
Digital Copies: $1.00 per CD/DVD or actual cost for other media
Labor Charges: $15.00 per hour for requests requiring more than 50 pages or extensive programming
Certified Documents: $5.00 per certification plus copy costs
Postage: Actual cost if mailing is requested

Specialized records may have statutorily defined fees:

Birth Certificates: $23.00 per certified copy
Death Certificates: $21.00 for the first copy, $4.00 for each additional copy
Marriage Licenses: $82.00 to issue; $20.00 per certified copy
Deed Recordings: $26.00 for the first page, $4.00 for each additional page

Accepted payment methods include:

Cash (in-person only)
Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fee)
Money orders
Checks made payable to "Kaufman County"

Under Texas Government Code § 552.267, a governmental body shall provide a copy of public information without charge or at a reduced charge if the governmental body determines that waiver or reduction of the charge is in the public interest or if the cost to the requestor would exceed $40.00.

Does Kaufman County Have Free Public Records?

Kaufman County provides free access to certain public records as required by Texas law. Under Texas Government Code § 552.221, members of the public may inspect public records at no charge during normal business hours. If a person wishes only to inspect records rather than receive copies, no fees are assessed except in limited circumstances involving programming or manipulation of data.

Free public records resources in Kaufman County include:

In-Person Inspection: Available at all county offices during regular business hours
Online Resources:

The Kaufman County Law Library also provides free public access to legal resources and certain county records during regular business hours.

Kaufman County Law Library
100 W. Mulberry Street
Kaufman, TX 75142
(972) 932-0280
Kaufman County Law Library

Who Can Request Public Records in Kaufman County?

Under the Texas Public Information Act, any person may request public records from Kaufman County governmental bodies. The law specifically states in Texas Government Code § 552.223 that "a governmental body may not inquire into the purpose for which information will be used."

Key eligibility factors include:

Residency: Texas residency is not required to request public records
Identification: Basic contact information is required on request forms, but photo identification is generally not required except for certain protected records
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most records
Format: Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, by email, or through online forms

For certain protected records, additional requirements may apply:

Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are restricted to qualified applicants with a direct and tangible interest in the record, such as the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with court orders
Criminal History Information: Access may be limited based on the requestor's relationship to the subject and the intended use of the information
Juvenile Records: These are generally confidential with access restricted to the juvenile, parents/guardians, attorneys, and authorized agencies

Government agencies, including other counties and states, may request records through intergovernmental agreements and may have expanded access to certain confidential information when authorized by law.

What Records Are Confidential in Kaufman County?

While Kaufman County strives for transparency, certain records are confidential by law and exempt from public disclosure. The Texas Public Information Act contains numerous exceptions to disclosure outlined in Texas Government Code §§ 552.101-552.158.

Records that are generally confidential in Kaufman County include:

Personal Information: Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, personal financial information, and other personally identifying information
Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
Juvenile Records: Court records and law enforcement information related to minors
Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order, including certain expunged criminal records and sealed divorce cases
Ongoing Investigations: Law enforcement records related to pending investigations
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and communications between county officials and county attorneys
Certain Personnel Information: Home addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, and family information of county employees
Critical Infrastructure Information: Details about security systems, infrastructure vulnerabilities, or emergency response plans
Certain Economic Development Information: Information related to economic development negotiations prior to contract execution
Victim Information: Information identifying victims of sexual assault or family violence
Adoption Records: Information related to adoptions and child welfare cases
Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county

When a request involves potentially confidential information, Kaufman County may seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office as required by Texas Government Code § 552.301.

Kaufman County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Kaufman County Clerk serves as the county recorder and maintains official public records including property records, marriage licenses, assumed name certificates, and various other documents.

Kaufman County Clerk's Office
100 W. Mulberry Street
Kaufman, TX 75142
(972) 932-4331
Kaufman County Clerk

Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Additional Locations:

Kaufman County Sub-Courthouse - Terrell
408 E. College Street
Terrell, TX 75160
(972) 563-4401
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Kaufman County Sub-Courthouse - Forney
200 S. Bois D'Arc
Forney, TX 75126
(972) 564-4001
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Services provided by the County Clerk's Recording Division include:

Recording and maintaining official public records
Issuing marriage licenses
Processing assumed name certificates (DBAs)
Providing certified copies of recorded documents
Maintaining plat records and maps
Recording military discharge papers (DD-214)

The Recording Division accepts documents for recording during all regular business hours. Documents submitted before 4:00 PM are typically recorded the same day.